Flying Disc Target

ABSTRACT

A target assembly is used in a flying disc game for slowing and trapping a flying disc thrown against the assembly. The assembly includes an upright post, a first frame supported on the post, inside and outside chains hanging from the first frame and a basket supported on the post below the first frame. The chains are secured at a first end to the first frame at spaced angular points around the longitudinal axis of the post. The chains hang down such that second ends of the chains extend toward the basket or inside the basket. The first frame comprises a central hub and a plurality of spokes that are offset angularly as the spokes extend radially from the hub. The inside chains hang from an inner portion of the spokes and the outside chains hang from an outer, angularly offset portion of the spokes such that each inside chain is located between a pair of outside chains. The inside and outside chains are connected at bottom ends thereof to rings to form a two-layer curtain.

BACKGROUND

In a flying disc golf games courses laid out in open recreational areas. A number of “holes” are laid out similar to a golf course. Each hole includes a “tee” or starting point from which a flying disc, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,678, is thrown by each player and a target post located at a distance from the tee. The object of playing the hole is to strike the post with a thrown disc in a minimum amount of throws. One problem with scoring the game is verifying that the disc has in fact struck the pole, particularly if the players are at a great distance from the pole when it is struck. In order to verify that the flying disc has struck the pole, a target assembly or entrapment assembly is fashioned around the pole that acts to reduce the energy of the flying disc and capture the disc in a basket around the pole.

Various patents describe such target assemblies. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,793,143; 4,461,484; 4,039,189; 4,742,624; 5,868,395; 5,921,551; 6,494,455 describe various target assemblies for capturing a thrown flying disc that would strike a post in a flying disc golf game.

A general description of the target assemblies described in these patents is a vertical pole that supports an upper and lower frame, each extending around the pole. The upper frame supports a hung curtain of chains extending between the frames, the curtain extending 360 degrees around the pole. A basket is arranged around the pole below the curtain and also extends 360 degrees around the pole. The curtain of chains are arranged to absorb the energy of a flying disc thrown at the pole so the disc will drop into the basket.

The present inventor has recognized that some known target assemblies include protruding spokes that can damage a thrown flying disc if struck. The present inventor has recognized that other known target assemblies are unnecessarily complex and costly to manufacture.

The present inventor has recognized that the existing designs can be improved to be more cost effectively manufactured, to have a reduced weight, and to have an increased performance.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a target assembly for use in a flying disc game for slowing and trapping a flying disc thrown against the assembly. The assembly includes an upright post having a longitudinal axis, a lower base end and a top distal end. A basket is centrally mounted on the post and is open toward the distal end. A first frame is mounted on the post on the distal end, surrounding the post. A plurality of outside chains, each outside chain secured at a first end thereof to the first frame, are secured to the first frame at spaced angular points around the longitudinal axis of the post. A plurality of inside chains, each inside chain secured at a first end thereof to the first frame, are secured to the first frame at spaced angular points around the longitudinal axis of the post. The outside and inside chains hang down such that second ends of the outside chains and inside chains extend toward the basket or inside the basket. The outside and inside chains are adapted to absorb kinetic energy of a thrown disc to reduce its velocity.

The first frame comprises a central hub and a plurality of spokes, the spokes extending substantially radially from the central hub. Each spoke is configured to have a first portion located at a first radial distance from the hub and a second portion located at a second further radial distance from the hub. A radial line drawn between a center of the hub and the second portion is angularly offset by an angle 8 from a radial line drawn between the center of the hub and the first portion. The inside chains are supported on the first portion of the spokes and the outside chains are supported on the second portion of the spokes.

The spokes can be angularly bent to achieve the angle θ.

The first frame can include a first outer ring wherein the spokes are connected to the first outer ring at distal ends of the spokes. The first frame can include a first inner ring arranged concentrically between the first outer ring and the hub, wherein the first portion of the spokes is adjacent the first inner ring and the second portion of the spokes is adjacent the first outer ring.

The outside chains can be connected at bottom ends thereof to form a substantially frusto-conical curtain. The inside chains can be connected at bottom ends thereof to form a substantially cylindrical curtain. The inside and outside chains can form a two-layer curtain.

The number of outside chains can equal approximately the number of the inside chains. The outside chains can be twelve in number and the inside chains can be twelve in number.

According to another aspect of the invention, a target assembly for use in a flying disc game for slowing and trapping a flying disc thrown against the assembly is provided that includes an upright post and a support frame. The upright post has a longitudinal axis and the support frame is mounted at the top of the post. The support frame has a center hub supported on the longitudinal axis, an outer ring, a coaxial inner ring, and angularly spaced-apart spokes that extend substantially radially from the center hub with respect to the longitudinal axis. The spokes are spaced all around the circumference of the hub and are connected to the inner and outer rings. A plurality of outside chains have the upper ends thereof supported on some of the spokes adjacent to the outer ring; and a plurality of inside chains have the upper ends thereof supported on some of the spokes adjacent to the inner ring.

The target assembly can include a basket mounted to the pole beneath the support frame having an open top facing the support frame.

The target assembly can include a first lower ring and a second lower ring, wherein lower ends of the outer chains are connected to the first lower ring at spaced angular positions around the periphery of the first lower ring, and the lower ends of the inner chains are connected to the second lower ring at spaced angular positions around the periphery of the second lower ring.

Preferably, the outer ring of the support frame is the outer radial limit of the support frame. This presents a smooth outer contour to prevent damaging a thrown flying disc.

Advantageously, the target assembly can include a further outer ring that is sized to be coaxially inside the outer ring, wherein the upper ends of the outside chains are captured on some of the spokes between the outer ring and the further outer ring, and wherein the clear distance between the outer ring and the further outer ring on the spoke is about 1-3 times the thickness of an outside chain held thereby, and further comprising a further inner ring that is sized to be coaxially outside the inner ring, wherein the upper ends of the inside chains are captured on some of the spokes between the inner ring and the further inner ring, and wherein the clear distance between the inner ring and the further inner ring on the spoke is about 1-3 times the thickness of an inside chain held thereby, and wherein the further outer ring and the further inner ring are attached on top of the spokes.

A basket can be mounted to the pole beneath the support frame and having an open top facing the support frame.

The invention provides a cost effective and lighter weight target assembly in that the outer chains and inner chains can be attached at upper ends thereof to a single set of spokes on the upper frame and still maintain the angular offset of the outer chains with respect to the inner chains. The upper frame can also provide a smooth outer periphery to prevent impact damage by a thrown disc striking protrusions on the upper frame.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a target assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upper frame of the target assembly of FIG. 1 with portions removed to see underlying components;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the upper frame of the target assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevation view of the target assembly of FIG. 1 with portions removed to see underlying components;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a spoke pair taken from FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment target assembly 20 for a flying disc golf game. The target assembly includes a pole 24 that is supported on a base 26, although the pole could also be anchored directly into the ground for a more permanent installation.

The base 26 includes a base ring 27 welded to or otherwise attached to three equally angular spaced triangular bars 28 (two shown). The bars 28 are spaced at 120 degrees around the circumference of the base ring 27. The triangular bars 27 are welded to or otherwise attached to a base hub 29 that is pipe shaped and has a top open end 29 a and a closed bottom end 29 b. A set screw 29 c driven by a knurled hand knob is threaded into the base hub 29.

The pole extends from a bottom end 30 a to a top end 30 b. The bottom end 30 a is set into the base hub 29 and rests on the bottom end 29 b. The set screw is driven into the hub 29 to press against the pole 24 and fix the pole 24 to the base 26.

A top frame 36 is supported on the end 30 b. A first bottom frame 42 surrounds the pole and is hung from outside chains 44 that are supported from an outer portion of the top frame. A second bottom frame 43 surrounds the pole and is hung from inside chains 45 that are supported from an inner portion of the top frame. A basket 46 surrounds the pole and is arranged below the top frame. The basket can have an upper ring 48 that is arranged at an elevation on the pole that is above the bottom frames 42, 43. The bottom frames 42, 43 can be in the form of simple rings surrounding the pole that are supported by the chains alone and not supported on the pole.

The chains 44, 45 form a two-layer curtain that is substantially free swinging at a bottom thereof. The outside chains 44 form a substantially frusto-conical curtain and the inside chains 45 form a substantially cylindrical curtain. The curtains can intersect at a lower end thereof if the frame 42 has a smaller diameter than the frame 43.

FIG. 2-4 show features of the top frame 36. The frame 36 includes a central hub 100 that fits over the end 30 b of the pole to support the frame 36 on the pole 24. The central hub 100 is pipe shaped with a closed top end 102 and an open bottom end so the hub 100 can slip over the end 30 b of the pole 24. A set screw 103 (FIG. 4), threaded into the hub, can be tightened against the pole 24 to fix the hub 100 and the frame 36 onto the pole 24.

A plurality of spokes 106 are welded or otherwise connected to the hub 100 and extend substantially radially therefrom. The spokes 106 can be formed in pairs by bending bars into a V-shape and welding the V-shape at its apex 108 to the hub (as shown), or can be individually cut bars each connected separately to the hub (not shown).

The spokes 106 are welded or otherwise connected to first and second inner rings 112, 114. The first and second inner rings 112, 114 are arranged concentrically to each other and the hub 100. The inner ring 112 is at a slightly lower elevation than the inner ring 114 such that the spokes 106 contact the top of the inner ring 112 and contact the bottom of the inner ring 114 and the spokes 106 are welded to both the inner rings 112, 114 where these contact.

Each spoke 106 is bent off or angularly offset by an angle β from the inner ring 114 in a clockwise direction. The spokes extend substantially radially outwardly to be welded or otherwise connected to outer rings 122, 124. The outer ring 122 is at a slightly higher elevation than the outer ring 124 such that the spokes 106 contact the bottom of the outer ring 122 and contact the centerline of the outer ring 124 and the spokes are welded to both the inner rings 122, 124 where they contact.

Inner chains 45 are held on each spoke 106 at inner positions 106 a between the inner rings 112, 114. The clear distance between the inner rings 112, 114 can be about 1-3 times the thickness of the chain 44 such that chain movement on the spoke is limited. Outer chains 44 are held on each spoke 106 between the two outer rings 122, 124. The clear distance between the outer rings 122, 124 can be about 1-3 times the thickness of the chain 45 such that chain movement on the spoke is limited. The position 106 a is angularly offset from the position 106 b by an angle θ that is the angle required to adequately angularly offset the inner chains from the outer chains, preferably to evenly angularly space each inner chain 45 between the two adjacent outer chains 44.

Because of the offset, the inner chains 45 are hung at a position on the frame angularly positioned between each adjacent pair of outer chains 44, although both inner chains and outer chains are held on the same substantially radially extending spokes 106. By providing the offset spokes, an overall reduction of the number of spokes is achieved compared to prior art. Also, by providing a surrounding outer ring 124, the number of harsh protrusions is avoided which can damage a flying disc which would otherwise strike the protrusions.

The basket 46 includes the top ring 48 welded to or otherwise attached to L-shaped members 150 that are radially arranged from a central hub 156. The L-shaped members 150 are welded to or otherwise attached to the central hub 156. The hub 156 is pipe shaped with open ends to allow the hub to be slid over the pole 24 and fixed to the pole by a set screw 160 that is threaded into the hub and driven to press against the pole 24. Spaced-apart, surrounding, circular rings 162, 166 are welded to or otherwise attached to an outside of the L-shaped bars 150. An outside floor ring 167 and an inside floor ring 168 are welded to or otherwise attached to the L-shaped bars 150.

FIG. 5 shows a detail of how the chains are connected to the frames 36, 42, and 43. An S-shaped chain connector 170 captures the last link 44 a of each chain 44 and captures the frame 42. In the same way an S-shaped chain connector 170 can be used to capture the last link of the chains 45 and the frame 43. In the same way an S-shaped chain connector 170 can be used to capture the upper last link of the chains 44 and the spoke 106 at the connection 106 a on the frame 36. In the same way an S-shaped chain connector 170 can be used to capture the upper last link of the chains 45 and the spoke 106 at the connection 106 b on the frame 36. Although S-shaped connectors are shown, other known means of connecting the chains to the frames could be utilized including openable chain links, welding, or fasteners.

The embodiment of the invention is advantageously composed of steel although other materials of construction are encompassed by the invention. The steel connections are preferably welded although other methods of connection are possible. An advantageous outside diameter of the outermost ring of the top frame is 23 inches. The rings 42, 42, 48, 112, 114, 122, 124, 162, 166, 168 and members 150 can be ⅜ inch round bar. The spokes 106 can be 5/16 inch round bar.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A target assembly for use in a flying disc game for slowing and trapping a flying disc thrown against the assembly, comprising: an upright post having a longitudinal axis, a lower base end and a top distal end; a basket mounted at a position between the base end and the distal end on the post and open toward the distal end; a first frame mounted on the post between at the distal end, the first frame surrounding the post; and a plurality of outside chains, each outside chain secured at a first end thereof to the first frame, the outside chains secured to the first frame at spaced angular points around the longitudinal axis of the post, a plurality of inside chains, each inside chain secured at a first end thereof to the first frame, the inside chains secured to the first frame at spaced angular points around the longitudinal axis of the post, the outside and inside chains hanging down such that second ends of the outside chains and inside chains extend toward the basket or inside the basket, the outside and inside chains being adapted to absorb kinetic energy of a thrown disc and reduce its velocity, wherein the first frame comprises a central hub and a plurality of spokes, the spokes extending substantially radially from the central hub, wherein each spoke is configured to have a first portion located at a first radial distance from the hub and a second portion located at a second further radial distance from the hub, a radial line drawn between a center of the hub and the second portion being angularly offset by an angle θ from a radial line drawn between the center of the hub and the first portion, wherein the inside chains are supported on the first portion of the spokes and the outside chains are supported on the second portion of the spokes.
 2. The target assembly of claim 1, wherein the first frame comprises a first outer ring and the spokes are connected to the first outer ring at distal ends of the spokes, and a first inner ring arranged concentrically between the first outer ring and the hub, wherein the first portion is adjacent the first inner ring and the second portion is adjacent the first outer ring.
 3. The target assembly of claim 2, wherein the inside and outside chains are connected at bottom ends thereof to form a two-layer frusto-conical curtain.
 4. The target assembly of claim 1, wherein the inside and outside chains are connected at bottom ends thereof to form a two-layer frusto-conical curtain.
 5. The target assembly of claim 1, wherein the first frame comprises: a first outer ring, and a second outer ring arranged concentrically inside the first outer ring, and the spokes are connected to the first and second outer rings at the second portion of the spokes; a first inner ring, and a second inner ring arranged concentrically between the first inner ring and the hub, the first inner ring arranged concentrically between the second outer ring and the second inner ring, and the spokes are connected to the first and second inner rings at the first portion of the spokes, wherein the first portion is between the first and second inner rings and the second portion is between the first and second outer rings.
 6. The target assembly of claim 5 wherein the number of outside chains equals approximately the number of the inside chains.
 7. The target assembly of claim 5 wherein the outside chains are twelve in number and the inside chains are twelve in number.
 8. An target assembly for use in a flying disc game for arresting and trapping a flying disc thrown against the assembly comprising: an upright post having a longitudinal axis; a support frame mounted at the top of the post, the support frame having a center hub, an outer ring and a coaxial inner ring, the hub supported on the longitudinal axis, and angularly spaced-apart, radially extending spokes from the center hub with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the spokes spaced all around the circumference of the hub, the spokes connecting the hub to the inner ring and the outer ring; a plurality of outside chains having the upper ends thereof supported on some of the spokes adjacent to the outer ring; and a plurality of inside chains having the upper ends thereof supported on some of the spokes adjacent to the inner ring.
 10. The target assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a basket mounted to the pole beneath the support frame having an open top facing the support frame.
 11. The target assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a first lower ring and a second lower ring, wherein lower ends of the outside chains are connected to the first lower ring, and the lower ends of the inside chains are connected to the second lower ring.
 12. The target assembly according to claim 9, wherein the outer ring of the support frame is the outer radial limit of the support frame.
 13. The target assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a further outer ring that is sized to be coaxially inside the outer ring, wherein the upper ends of the outside chains are captured on some of the spokes between the outer ring and the further outer ring.
 14. The target assembly according to claim 13, wherein the clear distance between the outer ring and the further outer ring on the spoke is about 1-3 times the thickness of an outside chain held thereby.
 15. The target assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a further inner ring that is sized to be coaxially outside the inner ring, wherein the upper ends of the inside chains are captured on some of the spokes between the inner ring and the further inner ring.
 16. The target assembly according to claim 15, wherein the clear distance between the inner ring and the further inner ring on the spoke is about 1-3 times the thickness of an inside chain held thereby.
 17. The target assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a further outer ring that is sized to be coaxially inside the outer ring, wherein the upper ends of the outside chains are captured on some of the spokes between the outer ring and the further outer ring, and wherein the clear distance between the outer ring and the further outer ring on the spoke is about 1-3 times the thickness of an outside chain held thereby, and further comprising a further inner ring that is sized to be coaxially outside the inner ring, wherein the upper ends of the inside chains are captured on some of the spokes between the inner ring and the further inner ring, and wherein the clear distance between the inner ring and the further inner ring on the spoke is about 1-3 times the thickness of an inside chain held thereby, and wherein the further outer ring and the further inner ring are attached on top of the spokes. 